What to do????

[nanfeishen]

You could find out if there are any schools in your area that offer Tai Chi classes, considering some of the problems you described, stress, depression, bad lower back are all problems i see as a Tai Chi teacher on a constant basis, and i see lots of improvement over a relatively short period of regular training.

I popped my back out many years ago working in an engineering workshop, and at 41 years of age have not suffered since, although i had to drop kung fu and only do Tai Chi.

The only problem is it is not Japanese in culture, but maybe you could consider doing it as a second form of exercise to compliment another system.

Just a suggestion hope it helps

Cheers

[jaymac]

Is it $75 a month or every 3 months? I have been at school where they contracts, but they offered yearly contracts. Contracts really are only to protect the dojo owner so I don't have a problem with them. Do you get unlimited amount of classes for that cost?

I wouldn't be concerned about the ranking, unless you were interested in ranking quickley. It seems you may have found a school that does not boast handing out black belt in 2 years. Good luck.

[Red J]

110 classes for the next white belt step seems like a lot of classes. IMO, ranks should be tested when the material is ingrained and the skills are evident. It could take you a year to take 110 classes. Of course if there are not a lot of belts that would be fine. I used to take a system that only had white, green, brown and black and you were a white belt for what seemed like a long time, you made one or two stripes and then you went for green. For most that would take anywhere from 9 months to 2 years.

$75 is not outrageous for tuition in a metro or suburban area. It really depends upon cost of living and what the school is offering you.

With the three month commitment you won't get hurt (financially), just make sure you are sold before you re-sign. In the meantime keep your eyes and ears open for other opportunities.

[Fairfax_Uechi]

i took my first TKD class today. It went well. Instructor and the class was very helpful. It was a good aerobic workout and I did well with the moves. I do have to admit that all the forms, etc. are quite a bit more confusing than Karate (from what I remember).

I do have a question though and it is not a big deal. I have to have 110 classes I can test for my next level of White Belt. Then like 230 total before I can get to Yellow Belt. That will take forever for me to ever get to the upper ranks. Years, like 5-8 years. Is that normal or excessive? The dues in this dojo are expensive $75 and I had to do a 3 month commitment. Is this normal or am I in the wrong place?

Did you look at the UVa links above? If not, stop and check them out. As you can imagine, I have a huge bias to Uechi and would highly recommend that you reconsider. The cost sounds high and the time seems long. I'd suggest that you look at the Uechi link and then go to the uechi-ryu.com web site. Go to Bill Glasheens forum and either send him a private message or post a new thread. Bill is the founder of the UVa Uechi program and a 7 Dan in Uechi and has rank in a few other styles. He's a great guy and can give you more information than you'd ever want, including names of folks in your area who might be able to help you out. Also if you can workout with the folks at UVa, that would be a great way to go. Trust me they're a wonderful bunch.